Lean Six Sigma concept is quite popular among businesses out there globally. That’s because this concept is in a position to create a tangible impact on the overall productivity of an organization. If you are a software development company, you should get the most out of the Lean Six-Sigma concept. Continue to read, and we will share extra information with you on how you can start using Lean Six-Sigma for software development.
Implementing Lean Six-Sigma to your Software Development Lifecycle
Lean Six-Sigma would ensure tight controls in place to ensure quality from the beginning. When you look at the traditional software development lifecycle methodologies, you will notice that quality is considered at the end of the project cycle. In other words, testing usually happens before implementation. This is applicable for all sorts of mainstream testing activities that take places, such as system testing, unit testing, and integration testing.
However, there are few better methodologies in place, which tighten the quality of the software development process. Code reviews and design reviews hold a prominent place out of them. However, you will be able to further tighten and standardize those quality control measures with the help of Lean Six-Sigma.
Along with Lean Six-Sigma principles, you will be able to introduce a tollgate to every single stage of your project life. In other words, you will start measuring quality during the concept development, requirement gathering, software development, system specification, rollout, software testing, and software maintenance phrases. Since you are implementing the quality control tollgates at the very beginning of the project, you will be able to enhance the possibility of securing successful results at the end of the day.
What are the Lean Six-Sigma tools available for software development?
Once you start using Lean Six-Sigma for software development, you should also look at the valuable tools that can help you ensure quality control measures. For example, you may think about using CTQ analysis during the requirement gathering phase. It can also provide a helping hand as you develop the concept of the project.
CTQ analysis would help you shift the project focus to critical deliverables. That’s because it will help you be aware of the problem you deal with and the boundaries associated with it.
Along with the help of Lean Six-Sigma tools, it will be possible for you to discover meaningful relationships in data. You may follow both physical methods and quantitative methods to do it. Upon discovering relationships, you can also indicate them in mathematical equations. These equations would eventually reveal the relationships between the goal and the different variables that are capable of creating an impact on it.
You will use process mapping and interviewing to discover relationships among data in a software development environment. Some of the techniques you can use include entity-relationship diagrams, data flow diagrams, and object models. They provide a clear picture to you of how the software manages data. In the meantime, Lean Six-Sigma would try to discover data capable of defining the problem.
Why should you use Lean Six-Sigma in software development?
Introducing Lean Six-Sigma to a software development team makes it possible to experience numerous benefits. Here are some of the most prominent benefits of them.
You can minimize waste.
One of the key benefits that you can get out of Lean Six-Sigma principles is the ability to minimize waste. You can focus on the work that adds value to software development and eliminate processes where you don’t get measurable results. In other words, you can get rid of waiting times, extra features, different processes, and partially completed work.
Ensuring faster delivery
Lean Six-Sigma principles can also help you to streamline deliveries. This ensures that the products you develop are launched to the market within the shortest possible time. This will help you with minimizing expenses in the long run.
You can empower the teams.
It will also be possible to adhere to the basics of Lean Six-Sigma and empower your teams. Micromanaging is not the most effective method for managing a software development team. Instead, it would be best to empower team members to get work done. You can do it with the help of Lean Six-Sigma principles.
You can ensure quality.
The Lean Six-Sigma come along with built-in quality. You will be able to keep your ideal customer in mind and develop quality for every single step of your value chain as well. This will also help you ensure 100% client satisfaction in the long run.
It amplifies learning
Once you start adhering to Lean Six-Sigma, you can easily amplify the learning experiences of your team members as well. Every team member will improve continuously and get more work done in the long run.
You can optimize your projects.
On top of everything, Lean Six-Sigma principles can assist you with optimizing your projects. You will be able to focus on all the different modules connected to your project’s final solution as well.
Final words
Now you know how Lean Six-Sigma principles blend with software development environments. As a software development company, we strongly encourage you to practice it. You will fall in love with the returns that are coming on your way through the Lean Six-Sigma principles. Hence, the decision you take would be an excellent investment that you can make in the future.